Chapter 69 – Promotions

"Talk"

'Think'

A/N: Thank you MattKennedy, ReplayHERE and TwistDart for your supports.

A/N: Thank you MattKennedy for your comments. Ch. 68 was tough to write; I'm glad you like it.

Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Kishimoto sensei.

Hokage Office

Shisui looked at each genin from Team Gai, Team Hamaki, Team Kakashi and Team Kurenai, noted their battle-worn attire and said to them "I am glad that each and every single one of returned back safely. You guys have proven me right in believing in your strengths. Regarding your chūnin exam, I will make sure none of your efforts will be wasted. However, before I make any decision, I have to talk with your sensei and straighten a few issues. I will see you again in three days".

Recognizing the dismissal tone, the genins bowed and left the room.

"Do you think your team is ready to become chūnin?" asked Shisui to the team leaders.

"Based on recent fights, I'd say yes, they are" answered Kakashi "None of them fought Kakuzu's masked figures alone, they fought together, playing into their strengths. For example, Shino's kikaichū was greatly at disadvantages when facing with the fire-masked figure, but he used them to obstruct its vision thus allowing his fellow teammates to brought it down"

"To be fair, they started to really worked together after they saw your team brought down their opponent" said Kurenai.

"The fact that they can recognize a good strategy and are not too proud to adopt it in a way that suits them tell me that they are ready to become chūnin" spoke Gai.

"In retrospect, the purpose of Chūnin Exam is to display our strengths during peace time, and they all passed the test when none of the host's genin made it. I'd say that speaks volume of their capabilities" expressed Hamaki.

Shisui nodded and said "I'll put all your words into consideration. Before I made any decision, I need to clarify our standing with Iwa"

"At the moment, we have no prove that the Akatsuki was hired by Iwa" explained Shisui "For all we know, Tsuchikage hired them alone so the others can deny having any knowledge regarding it"

"Plausible deniability" said Kakashi.

"That is correct" said Shisui "I have tried offering an olive branch, and this is their response"

"Are we talking about war?" asked Hamaki.

Shishui shook his head "No, at least not yet, hopefully never. However, a response must be made, and it has to be the right one. At the moment, we got nothing. Hopefully Inoichi can give us more information from your prisoner"

Three days later

"First, we have established that the members from Akatsuki were in fact, hired to kill you all" said Shisui to the genins "However, it has been ascertained (by Jiraiya) that none of Iwa shinobi was aware of that. Yes, they want revenge, but they want to carry it out themselves, not through other people"

"So-" continued Shishui "presumably, Tsuchikage hired them and he did it alone. Since we have no evidence, we have to let that slide. Fortunately, words got out (Shisui smiled discretely) that only Konoha shinobi made it to the final round of Chūnin Exam hosted by Iwagakure no Sato. As a result, missions have been pouring in from other places including Tsuchi no Kuni"

"Due to that, while I'd love to see how all of you have improved, we don't have the time to do that. So-" Shisui smiled widely "-all of you are promoted to chūnin. Congratulations!"

"Please take these vests and wear it proudly, all of you have earned it" Shisui finished his speech by giving each member from Team Gai, Team Hamaki, Team Kakashi and Team Kurenai chūnin vest and a tantō, with Konoha insignia carved onto its sheath.

Yakiniku Q, Konoha

"WHAT!" yelled Yamanaka Ino "All of you?!"

"Yup" answered a very delighted Sakura "Hahaha, take that, Pig!"

"Don't get too comfortable, Forehead" retorted Ino "I might beat you to become jōnin"

"Dream on, Pig" said Sakura. Ino was about to make another remark when she was cut off-

"This is troublesome" said Nara Shikamaru "Why are you all here?"

"We got promoted!" exclaimed Naruto.

"Our sensei offered to treat us" explained Sai.

"and Yakiniku is the most suitable place for large congregation" Shino chipped in.

"Meat!" yelled Kiba

"Woof!" Akamaru agreed.

"How come all of you being promoted when your Chūnin Exam was interrupted like ours" grumbled Ino while waiting for the meat to cook.

"Because they have shown us that they are ready, physically and mentally, to hold bigger responsibilities" explained Hamaki.

"Just like that?" questioned Ino.

"It is not as simple as it sounds" answered Kurenai "Most genins, once graduated, believed that having stronger jutsu will win the fight, but that is not necessarily the whole truth. Sometimes not fighting is the way to complete a mission"

"The best way, actually" butt in Kakashi.

"What separated a chūnin from genin is the ability to recognize your limitation and how to overcome that so your mission is accomplished" explained Kurenai.

"And all twelve of you displayed that during your recent fight" finished Gai.

"How about jōnin?" asked Noriko.

"More or less the same, but with more skills" answered Sarutobi Asuma.

"I guess the road to Hokage is still long, huh" pondered Naruto before he gobbled up his food and yelled "All right, that's it. I am going train more and more so I can become jōnin quickly and then, HOKAGE!"

"Don't talk with your mouth full!" shouted Noriko as she smacked Naruto on the back of his head.

End Chapter 69

A/N: thor94, when Shikamaru made that plan, he explained that Naruto was best suited for support due to his explosive nature and kage bunshin. With exception of Sai, the rest of support team was quite, explosive (Gai, Lee, Naruto). Blatant favouritism would be putting Naruto in a position that would make the author happy regardless whether the position is suitable or not.

A/N: DownFallDragon, since when senjutsu is useless? I guess you and I have different opinions when it comes to what is powerful in Naruto world.

Iwagakure no Sato – Hidden Village of Rocks

Tsuchi no Kuni – Land of Earth